Flushing mechanism



April 28, 1925. 1,535,268

0. H THELEEN FLUSHING MECHANISM Filed April 19, 1923 Ila-=12: .1

Illlllllll 11w Patented Apr. 28, 1925 i it.

OSCAR H. 'IHELEEN, OF KENGSHA, WISGUN'SI'N, ASFBIGNOE. T Flt-0ST lVIANUFACT'UItI'NG COMPANY, OF KEN'OSHA, YVTSCOI TSIN, A CORPORATION G NCUNSI'N.

FLUSHING MECHANIQWL Application filed. April 19, 1923.

To all whom may concern:

Be it known that I, Osoan H. TIrnLnnN, a citizen of the Umted States, residing in Kenosha, county of Kenosha, and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and usetul ln'iprovements in Flushing Mocha nisms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates toimprovements in 7 "flushing mechanisms, and rotors more particularly to a flush tank lever mechanism for use in low down flush tanks.

Among the objects of the invention are to provide a mechanism which is sturdy of wnstruction, easily operated, necessitating little adjustment and repair due to the fact that the strain upon the parts is relatively slight; to provide an inexpensive and simple structure which may be installed without the i use of mechanical devices.

This invention is an improvement on my application Serial No. 452,092 tiled h larch 141th, 1921.

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through-tl'ie l llush tank showing the general arrangement of the parts. Fig. 2 is a sectional plan View taken through the center of the rotating shaft. Fig. 3 is a view of a modified form 0t construction in which the shaft is prevented from complete rotation, Fig. 4 is a detail view of the link connection between the lever and crank shaft.

Referring to the drawings 1 designates a tlush tank which is equipped with an outlet pipe 2 controlled by a valve 3. This out let flow is also connected to a standpipe or overflow pipe 4 to which is attached a guide support or bracket 5, which serves to guide the stem 6 of the valve. This valve stem is connected with a lever 7 pivoted at 8 by means of a link connection 9. The upper end of the pivoted lever, or that end opposite to the portion connected to the valve, has an angularly disposed extension T which is drilled to provide for the insertion of the end of a link 10 which connects the upper angularly disposed extension to the crank 11 formed in the end of the crank shaft 12.

The crank shaft shown in Fig. 2 is rotatable in the threaded boss 13 which forms a part of the bracket 13 That portion of the boss which passes through the wall of the tank 1 is shaped square, and fits in a square hole in the tank, thus preventing rotation of the boss. The outer end of the boss is Serial No. 633,103.

threaded to accommodate a holding nut 14 which is screwed down onto the washer 15 forming a flange against the side of the tank. At the outer extremity ot the shaft 12 is fired an angle cap 16 into which is screwed an operating handle 17, which may be oit wood, porcelain, or other vitrified matcrial. ()n the bracket 13 is a stud 18, iipon which is pivoted the lever 7, which is held in place by means ot a cotter pin or other suitable holding means.

To operate the valve, the handle may be rotated in either direction, the crank pulling downwardly upon the angnlarly related extension 7 of the lever 7 through the link 10, and raising the opposite end of the lever which raises the valve 3 from its seat and permits the outflow of water through the pipe 2 and flushing ot the mechanism.

In the modified torm' of construction, on the bracket 13 is positioned a stop member shown at 13", which is bent in a manner to extend over the top of the lever Y, and thus limit its movement. 'yhis stop while permitting the raising of the valve, prevents the entire rotation ot the handle 17, that is, the handle may he moved in either direction from its depending vertical position, through a considerable angle, but is prevented from complete rotation.

The advantage of this type of mechanism, lies in the details of its construction, and particularly in the character ot the link connection shown at 10. This link comprises a rod such as that shown in Fig. 4E being bent near both ends at right angles to the stock of the link to 01111 bearingportions for the lever and crank, the extremities of the link beyond the respective bearings being again bent substantially at right angles and parallel to the stock of the link to form the locking or holding element. This link is preterably of non-corrosive metal such as brass, copper or like materials, and of such diameter as to have sutlicient rigidity to prevent detormation with any st ain which may be imposed by the turning of the operating handle.

In addition to the simplicity ot the mechanism, it is exceedingly facile in operation, as there are no frictional cam surfaces normally utilized in this type of construction to function the valve, and in addition the mechanism may be assembled without the need of riveting or use of screws, belts or other like mechanical contrivances. The link permits free rotation of the handle in the mechanism such as that shown in Fig. 1 and the downwardly disposed ends of the link 10 prevent the mechanism from coming apart and assures the permanent relative positioning of the different parts.

The construction differs from the mechanism shown in my previous application .men tioned heretofore, in that in place of a twopart shaft which is assembled telescopicallyto form a unitary structure, a single solid shaft is utilized.

Further, it has beenfound for certain uses, particularly :in public buildings, that in some cases, it is objectionable to have a coii'ipletely rotating handle, and in order to slightly vary the construction, the stop 13 shown in 3 has been positioned above the lever to limit the throw of the lever and the angle through which the handle 17 can be rotated in order to operate the valve.

The advanta es of assembl the iermanence, simplicity and incrpensiveness of the parts in addition to the ease and effectiveness of operation, and ruggedness, make this device admirably suitable to the uses to which it is put.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a flush tank mechanism, the combination with a solid shaftactuated by a handle, and having a crank, of a pivoted lover, a link between the crank and lever, a valve coii'imunicating with the lever adapted to be functioned by the actuation of the han bent rod'having substantially rightv angle connections with substantiallyparallel er;- tensionsthe latter extending in the same direction, serving to lock the related parts in position and-readily detachable flODifllC crank and lever with the remo al of the lever from its pivot.

3. In a flush tank mechanism, the combi- .nation with a solid shai'it aetuated by a handle, and having a crank, of a pivoted lever, a valve communicating with said lever, and

a link connection between crank and lover whereby the valve is functioned by'the actuation of the handle, said-link comprising rod bent-at right angles with its ends to form bearings for the crank and lever, and locking means formed by bending the extremities of the rod in the same direction at an angle to the bearings.

4t. In a. flush tank lllGClltLlllSll'l, the coiiibination with a solid rotatable shaftaetuated by a handle, and having a crank, of a pivoted lever, a valve actuated by said lever, and a link connection between crank and lover whereby the valve is functioned by the actuation of the handle, saidlink compris ing a rod bent at right angles-with its ends to form-bearings for the crankand'lever, and locking meansformed by bending the extremities of the rod substantially parallel with the li1ik,'said extremities extending in the same direction.

5. In a flush tank mechanism, the combination with a solid rotatable shaft actuated by a handle, andhaving a crank, of a pivoted lever communicating with a valve, a link connection between crank and lever whereby the valve is functioned by the actuation of the handle, said link comprising rod bent at substantially right angles,

with its ends to forn'rbearings for the crank and lever, holding means formed by bending the extremities of the rod beyond the hearings in the same direction to limit the horizontal movement of the related parts and to prevent disengagen ient.

OSCAR H. THELEEN. 

